Obituaries - March 31, 2023

Gary D. Jennings

Gary D. Jennings, 80, of Salina, passed away Wednesday, March 22, 2023.  He was born May 12, 1942, in Salina, Kansas, to Clarence Henry and Nathalie Louise (Sampson) Jennings.  He married Ruby Manny on December 19, 1965, in Salina, Kansas.  Gary served as a member in the National Guard.  He enjoyed drag racing and held a record for the National Hot Rod Association.  Gary served 33 years for USD 305 his many roles included custodian, building operator, carpenter and locksmith.  He enjoyed traveling to watch Jason play baseball and shared a love for cars with his son Shawn.  Gary was a family man and a firm believer in Christ.

He is survived by his wife, Ruby, of the home; children, Shawn Jennings, of Salina, Jason Jennings, of Olathe, Michael Jennings, of Colorado and Pamela Rietz, of Colorado; sisters, Constance Pender, of Las Vegas, and Patricia Gruber, of Springfield, MO; seven grandchildren and five great-grandchildren.

He is preceded in death by his parents; son, Mark Jennings; brothers, Robert Jennings and Richard Jennings.

Memorial service will be 2 p.m. Friday, April 14, at First Covenant Church, Salina.

Memorials may be made to Interim Home Care and Hospice or The Gideons International, in care of Ryan Mortuary, 137 North Eighth Street, Salina, Kansas 67401.

Peter Joseph McSpadden

Peter Joseph McSpadden, 26, passed away on March 23, 2023, with his family and friends by his side. Peter was born in Longmont, Colorado on April 7, 1996, to Becky McSpadden and Mark Freimuth.

Peter was an avid outdoorsman, with a love for fishing, hunting, trapping, and archery. He loved being outside! Peter enjoyed spending time with his friends, who he loved like family. He was a fun-loving, extremely caring, fun, goofy spirit. He will be deeply missed by everyone lucky enough to know and love him.

Survivors include his father, Mark (Nancy) Freimuth, and siblings, Crystal Freeman, Russell Taylor, and Rory Fairchild. Nieces and nephews; Addison, Mayce, Sheldon, and Paislyn. Grandmother, Sherry Freimuth, and lots of aunts, uncles, and cousins.

A Celebration of life will take place on April 7th, 2023, at the Blind Pig Sports Lounge, 2501 Market Place, Salina, KS, from 4-8 p.m. Feel free to come and go as you please.

April 7th is Peter’s actual birthday so this will be a true celebration of his life!

If you’d like to donate in Peter’s name, please make donations to the Salina Animal Shelter, 329 N. 2nd St., Salina, KS, 67401.

Rest in Peace Pete.

Phyllis Jacqueline (Trow) Dority

Phyllis Jacqueline (Trow) Dority, 83, of Bennington, Kansas, passed away, Wednesday, March 29, at Wakefield Care and Rehabilitation Center in Wakefield, Kansas.

Phyllis was born on August 13, 1939, in Minneapolis, Kansas, to Tommy and Bernice (Joseph) Trow. She was the oldest of three girls.

Phyllis was raised in Minneapolis and Salina. She was a majorette for Salina Central High School.

Phyllis married Arlen N. Dority on Feb 6, 1957.

After they married, they lived in Salina for 9 years before moving to Aurora, Colorado, where they lived for 12 years. They moved back and settled down in Bennington in 1978.

She was a homemaker but also worked for Swift Processing in Salina, was the Bakery Manager for King Sooper in Aurora, Colorado and as a waitress at Bayard's Cafe in Salina.

Phyllis loved to sew and made Barbie clothes for the girls for Christmas. She also loved living in the country where her husband, father, and family helped build their home. She also liked doing ceramics, camping, traveling, dancing, and puzzles.

Survivors include her daughters, Lanette Millieson (Ron), Keyna Leonard (Sam); son, Douglas Dority; sister, Debby Jackson; 11 grandchildren; and 20 great grandchildren.

She also raised Kodiak Dority as her own. She loved him with all of her heart and was very proud of his accomplishments in life.

She was preceded in death by her parents; husband of 64 years; sister, Patricia; granddaughter, Clairessa; grandson, James; and great grandson, Aaron.

Visitation will be held on Monday, April 3rd, from 6:00 pm - 8:00 pm at Wilson Family Funeral Home, 405 Argyle, Minneapolis.

Funeral services will be at 2:00 pm, Tuesday, April 4th at the funeral home with burial following at Highland Cemetery, Minneapolis.

Barry Carl Bohn

Barry Carl Bohn, beloved husband, father, grandfather, and friend passed away peacefully at home on March 26, 2023, at the age of 76. He was born on June 18, 1946, to Guy and Marie Bohn in Stockton, CA.

Barry proudly served in the Army during the Vietnam War. After his service he returned home and on Dec. 7 married the love of his life Madonna Bohn. They were happily married for 54 years.

Barry worked hard all his life to provide for his family. He owned Barry’s Furniture for many years and then retired 19 years ago. During his retirement he enjoyed several hobbies and interests such as fishing and golf.

Barry was preceded in death by his parents, Guy and Marie Bohn, as well as many other loved ones who have gone before him. He is survived by his wife, Madonna Bohn; two daughters, Michelle Nelson and Stacy (Jami) Garnett; three grandchildren, Sophie Nelson, Drew Nelson, and Brodie Garnett; and siblings, Sue Hood, Sherry Schweller, Stacy Reynolds; and many other family members and friends who will miss him dearly.

A Celebration of Life will be held at Ryan Mortuary, 137 North 8th Street in Salina, KS, on April 6th from 3:00 - 5:00 PM to celebrate Barry’s life with family and friends who wish to pay their respects.

In lieu of flowers please consider sending a donation to a charity of your choice in Barry’s name.

John K. Fritz Sr.

John K. Fritz Sr. passed away March 26th. 2023 peacefully at home with family by his side. He was born on December 6, 1932, at home to E.M. and Olga R. (Kogler) Fritz in Gypsum, Kansas. John their second son along with older brother Gilford (Jean) Fritz of Salina, Ks. and younger brother Gene (Margaret) Fritz of Gypsum, Kansas.

As a youth his earliest adventures started on the Kogler’s family farm outside of Gypsum. There he learned to shoot squirrels. He and his two brothers would travel by train to San Diego, California to visit their Uncle John and Aunt Hulda. John graduated from Gypsum Rural High School and was in the class of 1950.

The Fritz family attended the United Methodist Church, John was baptized as a youth. He later was baptized in believers’ faith at the First Baptist Church in Carlton, Ks. John went into the Army in 1953 and was discharged in 1955. During his time in the Army, he spent his time training and being the camp cook.

On September 21, 1956, he married Luetta M. Everhart, and they were blessed with their first born in 1958, son John K. Fritz Jr. (Cindy). The marriage was blessed with another son Jeffery (Cindy) in 1960, two daughters Dayna Spies in 1962, and Diana (Kent) Sutton in 1963. The blessing continued with 28 grandchildren and 35 great grandchildren.

John sat on the Gypsum city council from 1967 to 1971. On May 11th, 1981, he resigned as Mayor of Gypsum. At the time of his retirement he had worked at Frisbie Const Co Inc for 39 years as a laborer, Superintendent and Purchasing Agent. He enjoyed traveling, hunting, fishing, snow skiing, billiards, playing softball and playing a round of golf.
He was preceded in death by his parents, son-in-law Kirk Heigele, son Jeffery and two grandsons Nathan and Jonathan Sutton.

There were much more adventures in John’s life to be mentioned but with all that being said, John was a Father, Grandfather, Great-Grand Father, Employee and Civil Servant. He will be greatly missed.

Visitation will be Friday, March 31 at Ryan Mortuary from 4-8 pm. Service will be 10 am Saturday, April 1, 2023 at First Baptist Church Salina. Burial will follow at the Gypsum City Cemetery, Gypsum, Ks.

Memorials may be made to First Baptist Church of Gypsum and sent in care of Ryan Mortuary.